WO2017023665A1 - Mixed dimers from alpha-olefin sulfonic acids - Google Patents
Mixed dimers from alpha-olefin sulfonic acids Download PDFInfo
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- WO2017023665A1 WO2017023665A1 PCT/US2016/044378 US2016044378W WO2017023665A1 WO 2017023665 A1 WO2017023665 A1 WO 2017023665A1 US 2016044378 W US2016044378 W US 2016044378W WO 2017023665 A1 WO2017023665 A1 WO 2017023665A1
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- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
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- C07C303/02—Preparation of esters or amides of sulfuric acids; Preparation of sulfonic acids or of their esters, halides, anhydrides or amides of sulfonic acids or halides thereof
- C07C303/20—Preparation of esters or amides of sulfuric acids; Preparation of sulfonic acids or of their esters, halides, anhydrides or amides of sulfonic acids or halides thereof by addition of sulfurous acid or salts thereof to compounds having carbon-to-carbon multiple bonds
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- C07C303/02—Preparation of esters or amides of sulfuric acids; Preparation of sulfonic acids or of their esters, halides, anhydrides or amides of sulfonic acids or halides thereof
- C07C303/22—Preparation of esters or amides of sulfuric acids; Preparation of sulfonic acids or of their esters, halides, anhydrides or amides of sulfonic acids or halides thereof from sulfonic acids, by reactions not involving the formation of sulfo or halosulfonyl groups; from sulfonic halides by reactions not involving the formation of halosulfonyl groups
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- C07C309/02—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms
- C07C309/03—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton
- C07C309/04—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton containing only one sulfo group
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- C07C309/02—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms
- C07C309/03—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton
- C07C309/05—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton containing at least two sulfo groups bound to the carbon skeleton
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- C07C309/02—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms
- C07C309/03—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton
- C07C309/07—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton containing oxygen atoms bound to the carbon skeleton
- C07C309/09—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton containing oxygen atoms bound to the carbon skeleton containing etherified hydroxy groups bound to the carbon skeleton
- C07C309/10—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton containing oxygen atoms bound to the carbon skeleton containing etherified hydroxy groups bound to the carbon skeleton with the oxygen atom of at least one of the etherified hydroxy groups further bound to an acyclic carbon atom
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- C07C309/02—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms
- C07C309/19—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of a saturated carbon skeleton containing rings
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- C07C309/02—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms
- C07C309/24—Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of a carbon skeleton containing six-membered aromatic rings
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- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
- C09K8/584—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids characterised by the use of specific surfactants
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
- C11D1/02—Anionic compounds
- C11D1/12—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof
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- C11D1/143—Sulfonic acid esters
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
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- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
- C11D1/02—Anionic compounds
- C11D1/12—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof
- C11D1/22—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof derived from aromatic compounds
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/16—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
- E21B43/24—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
- E21B43/2406—Steam assisted gravity drainage [SAGD]
- E21B43/2408—SAGD in combination with other methods
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- C07C2601/00—Systems containing only non-condensed rings
- C07C2601/12—Systems containing only non-condensed rings with a six-membered ring
- C07C2601/14—The ring being saturated
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B37/00—Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells
- E21B37/06—Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells using chemical means for preventing, limiting or eliminating the deposition of paraffins or like substances
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/02—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 in situ inhibition of corrosion in boreholes or wells
Definitions
- the invention relates to mixed dimers and oligomers from alpha-olefin sulfonic acids and methods for making them. Salts of these mixed dimer acids are useful surfactants for oilfield chemical and other applications.
- Suitable surfactants for this purpose include long-chain (C16-C18 or C20-C24) alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, and salts of alpha-olefin sulfonic dimer acid ("AOS dimer acid,” see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,556,107; 4,567,232; 4,607,700; 4,957,646; and 5,052,487).
- AOS dimer acid alpha-olefin sulfonic dimer acid
- Dilute blends of alpha-olefin sulfonates and unsaturated fatty acids have been used as steam foaming agents (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,367).
- AOS acid alpha-olefin sulfonic acid
- AOS dimer acid salts and other known alternative foamers were designed for use at temperatures commonly used for steam flooding, typically 160°C to 180°C, while other oil recovery processes require foamers that can withstand even higher temperatures and pressures.
- One such process is steam-assisted gravity drainage (“SAGD”), which uses gravity to cause bitumen present in tar sands or other heavy oil deposits to melt and flow to a production well (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,485 and Can. Pat. No. 1 ,304,287).
- SAGD applications may benefit from foamers that can perform well and resist thermal degradation at temperatures in the 210°C to 250°C range. So far, there are few suitable options, although AOS dimer acid salts are among the best known foamers for this purpose.
- the oilfield chemicals industry would benefit from the availability of surfactants that can provide good foaming performance and thermal stability at the high temperatures and pressures utilized in SAGD and other oil recovery processes.
- the surfactants would be straightforward to produce using conventional equipment and techniques and would provide improved high-temperature performance when compared with AOS dimer acid salts.
- the invention relates to a mixed dimer composition.
- the composition comprises a monosulfonated cross-dimer or a salt thereof.
- the monosulfonated cross-dimer is a reaction product of (a) an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid); and (b) an unsulfonated olefin, an unsulfonated olefin precursor, or a functionalized olefin.
- a mixed oligomer composition comprises a mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer or a salt thereof.
- the mono- or polysulfonated cross- oligomer is a reaction product of (a) an AOS acid; and (b) an unsulfonated diolefin or an unsulfonated diolefin precursor.
- the invention includes foams useful for oilfield and other applications, particularly high-temperature applications.
- the foams are produced by combining water, a gas, and a surfactant comprising the mixed dimer or mixed oligomer compositions described above.
- the invention includes various methods used to make the mixed dimer or oligomer compositions. Some of the methods may provide mixed dimer or oligomer compositions having reduced levels of elemental sulfur compared with benchmark methods.
- the invention includes a method for recovering oil from a subterranean reservoir formation.
- the method comprises injecting into the formation a mixed dimer or oligomer composition or a foam as described above, and then recovering oil from a production well.
- inventive mixed dimer and mixed oligomer compositions provide foams with improved high-temperature stability when compared with foams from AOS dimer acid salts.
- the mixed dimer and oligomer compositions can be made using methods similar to those now used to produce AOS dimer acids and their salts.
- AOS dimer acid alpha-olefin sulfonic dimer acid
- inventive mixed dimer compositions comprise a substantial proportion of a monosulfonated material that may or may not have additional functionality.
- Mixed dimer compositions of the invention comprise a monosulfonated cross-dimer, or a salt thereof.
- the "cross-dimer” is an addition reaction product of (a) an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid); and (b) an unsulfonated olefin, an unsulfonated olefin precursor, or a functionalized olefin. In some aspects, at least one molar equivalent of the AOS acid is used.
- the "mixed dimer composition” may have multiple components that accompany the cross-dimer.
- a mixed dimer composition produced by reacting 1 - octene and a Ci 4 -Ci 6 alpha-olefin sulfonic acid will contain the cross-dimer addition product of 1 - octene and the Ci 4 -Ci 6 AOS acid, but it will also contain some dimers (or oligomers) of 1 -octene as well as some Ci 4 -Ci 6 AOS dimer acid.
- the mixed dimer compositions may also contain some amount of undimerized starting material, i.e., some amount of unreacted AOS acid and/or some amount of unreacted unsulfonated olefin, precursor, or functionalized olefin.
- AOS acid alpha-olefin sulfonic acid
- the alpha-olefin sulfonic acid is prepared by sulfonation of an alpha-olefin.
- Suitable alpha- olefins have a C 4 to C 5 o linear or branched carbon chain and a terminal carbon-carbon double bond.
- the alpha-olefins may comprise, for example, C 8 to C 0 alpha-olefins, Ci 0 to C 3 o alpha- olefins, C12 to Ci 8 alpha-olefins, Ci to Ci 6 alpha-olefins, C 2 o to C 24 alpha-olefins, C 26 to C 28 alpha- olefins, or combinations thereof.
- AOS acid any method suitable for sulfonating alpha-olefins can be used to produce AOS acid useful for making the inventive compositions.
- any method for converting alpha-olefins to hydroxyalkane sulfonic acids, sultones, alkene sulfonic acids, or mixtures thereof, may be used.
- Analysis of the crude sulfonic acid product normally shows the presence of 1 ,3- and 1 ,4-sultones, hydroxyalkane sulfonic acids, and alkene sulfonic acids.
- AOS acid usually refers to a mixture of monomeric compounds, at least some of which have sulfonic acid functionality.
- Sulfonation with sulfur trioxide is preferred.
- suitable alpha- olefin sulfonation processes see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,951 ,823; 4,556,107; 4,567,232; 4,607,700; and 4,957,646, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- the degree of sulfonation using S0 3 or other sulfonating agents might vary over a wide range depending on the desired outcome.
- the "degree of sulfonation” refers to the number of moles of sulfonating agent used per mole of alpha-olefin reactant. In some cases, it will be desirable to use a relatively high degree of sulfonation (e.g., 100-1 10%), while in other cases, it may be more desirable to use a relatively low degree of sulfonation (e.g., 20-95%).
- the unsulfonated olefin, unsulfonated olefin precursor, and functionalized olefin are sometimes referred to herein collectively as "the unsulfonated olefin reactants.”
- the unsulfonated olefin can be any C 3 to C 5 o linear, branched, or cyclic alpha-olefin or any C 4 to C 5 o linear, branched, or cyclic internal olefin provided there is no sulfonic acid or sulfonate functionality.
- the unsulfonated olefin can be a pure compound or a mixture of different unsulfonated olefins.
- the unsulfonated olefins may comprise, for example, C 8 to C 4 o alpha or internal olefins, Cio to C 3 o alpha or internal olefins, C12 to Ci 8 alpha or internal olefins, Ci 4 to Ci 6 alpha or internal olefins, C 2 o to C 2 alpha or internal olefins, C 26 to C 28 alpha or internal olefins, or combinations thereof.
- Suitable unsulfonated olefins include, for example, 1 -hexene, 2-hexene, 3-hexene, 1 -octene, 2-octene, 1 -decene, 3-decene, 1 -dodecene, 1 -tetradecene, 1 -hexadecene, 1 -octadecene, cyclohexene, and the like, up to C 5 o unsulfonated olefins.
- a linear alpha-olefin particularly a C 8 -C 20 linear alpha-olefin, is used.
- the unsulfonated olefin (or mixture) is the same as the olefin (or mixture) used to produce the AOS acid.
- an unsulfonated olefin precursor can be used instead of the unsulfonated olefin.
- compositions that can form unsulfonated olefins under reasonably mild thermal conditions can be used to generate the unsulfonated olefin in situ.
- Suitable precursors include alcohols, alkyl halides, alkyl sulfates, and similar compositions that can undergo dehydration, dehydrohalogenation, or other elimination reactions to produce an unsulfonated olefin.
- the unsulfonated olefin precursor is selected from saturated aliphatic C 3 -C 5 o alcohols and saturated aliphatic C 3 -C 5 o alkyl halides.
- a functionalized olefin is included. The functionalized olefin can be used in place of or in combination with an unsulfonated olefin.
- Suitable functionalized olefins will have a carbon-carbon double bond and a functional group other than a sulfonate group.
- the functional group may be any functional group that is otherwise compatible with sulfonic acid groups and is stable under the dimerization reaction conditions.
- the functional group may be, for example, an amide, alcohol, phenol, carboxylic acid, carboxylate, ester, ether, ketone, nitrile, or other functional group.
- the functionalized olefin is an unsaturated fatty acid, such as oleic acid, or an unsaturated fatty alcohol, such as oleyl alcohol.
- “functionalized olefin” also includes precursors to functionalized olefins, i.e., compounds that can provide a functionalized olefin upon dehydration, dehydrohalogenation, or other elimination reactions.
- the relative amounts of the AOS acid and the unsulfonated olefin reactants can vary over a wide range and may depend on their relative reactivities, the reaction conditions, the equipment, the degree of conversion during the dimerization, the desired product composition, the intended end use, and other factors within the skilled person's discretion.
- the proportion of AOS acid will be 10 to 90 mole percent, 20 to 80 mole percent, 30 to 70 mole percent, or 40 to 60 mole percent based on the combined amounts of the AOS acid and the unsulfonated olefin reactants.
- the proportion of unsulfonated olefin reactant might be significantly greater.
- the mixed dimer composition can be extracted with a non-polar solvent such as petroleum ether to reduce the content of olefin dimers or oligomers.
- This process is referred to herein as "de-oiling," and the resulting treated mixed dimer compositions are referred to as "de-oiled" compositions.
- De-oiling can also be accomplished in some cases by stripping processes such as vacuum distillation or wiped-film evaporation.
- De- oiling might be desirable for making surfactants having greater sulfonic acid actives levels, as these compositions may provide salts having better foaming properties when used for oilfield or other applications (see, e.g., the results in Table 4 below).
- the mixed dimer compositions may have sulfonic acid functionality, or some or all of the sulfonic acid groups may be in the form of salts following complete or partial neutralization. Any carboxylic acid groups present in the mixed dimer compositions may also be in either acid or salt form. Partial or complete conversion of the acidic product to the salt can be accomplished by neutralizing the acidic product with the desired amount of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, or the like. For use as a surfactant, at least some of the sulfonic acid groups, if not all of them, will be converted to salts, preferably alkali metal or ammonium salts, in the mixed dimer compositions.
- the unsulfonated olefin reactant is an unsulfonated olefin or an unsulfonated olefin precursor
- the monosulfonated cross-dimer has a general structure selected from:
- the unsulfonated olefin reactant is a functionalized olefin, particularly an unsaturated fatty acid
- the monosulfonated cross-dimer has a general structure selected from:
- Mixed dimer compositions can be made by heating a concentrated mixture comprising the AOS acid with the unsulfonated olefin, unsulfonated olefin precursor, or functionalized olefin at a temperature within the range of 1 10°C to 200°C for a time sufficient to produce the monosulfonated cross-dimer. Additional details of methods for preparing the compositions are included further below.
- Mixed oligomer compositions of the invention comprise a mono- or polysulfonated cross- oligomer or a salt thereof.
- the cross-oligomer in this aspect is an addition reaction product of (a) an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid); and (b) an unsulfonated diolefin or an unsulfonated diolefin precursor. Because the same process that gives the desired cross-oligomer also generates side products, including some AOS dimer acid and some oligomers from the unsulfonated diolefin or unsulfonated diolefin precursor, the "mixed oligomer composition" may have multiple components that accompany the cross-oligomer.
- a mixed oligomer composition produced by reacting a 1 :2 molar mixture of 1 ,1 1 -dodecadiene and a Ci 4 -Ci 6 alpha- olefin sulfonic acid will contain the 1 :2 cross-oligomer addition product of 1 ,1 1 -dodecadiene and the C14-C16 AOS acid (i.e., a "cross-trimer"), but it may also contain some dimers or oligomers of 1 ,1 1 -dodecadiene as well as some Ci 4 -Ci 6 AOS dimer acid.
- the mixed oligomer compositions may also contain some amount of undimerized starting material, i.e., some amount of unreacted AOS acid and/or some amount of unreacted unsulfonated diolefin or unsulfonated diolefin precursor.
- AOS acid alpha-olefin sulfonic acids
- the unsulfonated diolefin and unsulfonated diolefin precursor are sometimes referred to herein collectively as "the unsulfonated diolefin reactants.”
- the unsulfonated diolefin can be any C 5 to C 5 o linear, branched, or cyclic alpha or internal diolefin provided there is no sulfonic acid or sulfonate functionality.
- the unsulfonated diolefin can be a pure compound or a mixture of different unsulfonated diolefins.
- the unsulfonated diolefins may comprise, for example, C 8 to C 4 o alpha or internal diolefins, C10 to C 3 o alpha or internal diolefins, C12 to Ci 8 alpha or internal diolefins, Ci 4 to Ci 6 alpha or internal diolefins, C20 to C 2 4 alpha or internal diolefins, C 2 e to C 2 s alpha or internal diolefins, or combinations thereof.
- Suitable unsulfonated diolefins include, for example, 1 ,5-hexadiene, 2,5-hexadiene, 1 ,7-octadiene, 2,7- octadiene, 1 ,9-decadiene, 1 ,5-decadiene, 1 ,1 1 -dodecadiene, 1 ,13-tetradecadiene, 1 ,15- hexadecadiene, 1 ,17-octadecadiene, and the like, up to C 5 o unsulfonated diolefins.
- an unsulfonated diolefin precursor can be used instead of the unsulfonated diolefin.
- compositions that can form unsulfonated diolefins under reasonably mild thermal conditions can be used to generate the unsulfonated diolefin in situ.
- Suitable precursors include diols, dihalides, disulfates, unsaturated alcohols, unsaturated alkyl halides, unsaturated alkyl sulfates, and similar compositions that can undergo dehydration or elimination reactions to produce an unsulfonated diolefin.
- Examples include 7-octen-2-ol, 9-decen-3-ol, 1 1 - dodecen-1 -ol, 13-tetradecen-1 -ol, 15-hexadecen-1 -ol, 9-chloro-1 -decene, 1 1 -bromo-1 - dodecene, 1 ,8-octanediol, 1 ,14-tetradecanediol, and the like.
- the unsulfonated diolefin precursor is selected from C5-C50 diols, C5-C50 dihalides, monounsaturated aliphatic C 5 - C 5 o alcohols and monounsaturated aliphatic C5-C50 alkyl halides.
- the relative amounts of the AOS acid and the unsulfonated diolefin reactants can vary over a wide range and may depend on their relative reactivities, the reaction conditions, the equipment, the degree of conversion during the oligomerization, the desired product composition, the intended end use, and other factors within the skilled person's discretion.
- the proportion of AOS acid will be 10 to 90 mole percent, 20 to 80 mole percent, 30 to 70 mole percent, or 40 to 60 mole percent based on the combined amounts of the AOS acid and the unsulfonated diolefin reactants. In some cases, for example, it may be desirable to have a relatively large proportion of AOS dimer acid in the mixed oligomer composition.
- the proportion of AOS acid to unsulfonated diolefin reactant will be relatively high.
- the proportion of unsulfonated diolefin reactant might be significantly greater.
- the exact nature of the product mixture will depend on the proportion of AOS acid and unsulfonated diolefin reactants used.
- at least two molar equivalents of the AOS acid are reacted with the unsulfonated diolefin or unsulfonated diolefin precursor.
- the major addition reaction product will likely be a polysulfonated cross-oligomer.
- at least two molar equivalents of the unsulfonated diolefin or unsulfonated diolefin precursor are reacted with the AOS acid. In that case, the major addition reaction product will likely be a monosulfonated cross-oligomer.
- the mixed oligomer composition can be extracted with a non-polar solvent such as petroleum ether to reduce the content of unsulfonated olefin dimers or oligomers.
- De-oiling can also be accomplished in some cases by stripping processes such as vacuum distillation or wiped-film evaporation. As was discussed earlier, this process of "de-oiling" might be desirable for making surfactants having greater sulfonic acid actives levels, as these compositions may provide better foaming properties when used for oilfield or other applications.
- the mixed oligomer compositions may have sulfonic acid functionality, or some or all of the sulfonic acid groups may be in the form of salts following complete or partial neutralization. Partial or complete conversion of the acidic product to the salt can be accomplished by neutralizing the acidic product with the desired amount of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, or the like.
- a surfactant at least some of the sulfonic acid groups, if not all of them, will be converted to salts, preferably alkali metal or ammonium salts, in the mixed oligomer compositions.
- the AOS acid reacts with an unsaturated diolefin, an unsaturated alcohol, or some other unsulfonated diolefin precursor to give a polysulfonated cross-oligomer having the general structure:
- any of the crosslinked fatty chains can have from 5 to 50 carbons.
- This product might predominate in a reaction that uses a diol or an unsaturated alcohol when the reaction temperature is high enough to promote dehydration of the diol or unsaturated alcohol.
- sultones present in the AOS acid may react with a diol or an unsaturated alcohol to give a polysulfonated cross-oligomer having the general structure:
- any of the crosslinked fatty chains can have from 5 to 50 carbons.
- reaction conditions may be able to adjust the reaction conditions to favor either alcohol dehydration (and subsequent oligomerization) or ether formation.
- a relatively low reaction temperature might be used to produce an AOS acid having a relatively high sultone content.
- This AOS acid could provide mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomers with relatively high ether content upon reaction of the AOS acid with a diol or an unsaturated alcohol.
- Mixed oligomer compositions can be made by heating a concentrated mixture comprising the AOS acid with the unsulfonated diolefin or unsulfonated diolefin precursor at a temperature within the range of 1 10°C to 200°C for a time sufficient to produce cross-oligomers. More details regarding suitable methods for making both the mixed oligomer and mixed dimer compositions are provided below. III. Methods of Making Mixed Dimer and Mixed Oligomer Compositions
- the invention includes methods of making the mixed dimer and oligomer compositions.
- the methods may provide a mixed dimer or oligomer composition having a reduced level of elemental sulfur when compared with other methods.
- a general method for making mixed dimer and mixed oligomer compositions comprises two steps. First, an alpha-olefin is sulfonated, preferably with sulfur trioxide, to produce a mixture comprising an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid and sulfur dioxide. The mixture from the first step is then heated at a temperature within the range of 1 10°C to 200°C in a reactor with either (i) an unsulfonated olefin, an unsulfonated olefin precursor, or a functionalized olefin; or (ii) an unsulfonated diolefin or an unsulfonated diolefin precursor.
- the resulting product is, respectively, a mixed dimer or mixed oligomer composition of the invention.
- the heating is performed at 120°C to 190°C, 130°C to 170°C, or 140°C to 160°C.
- the AOS acid and the unsulfonated olefin reactant are heated while purging sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the reactor to produce the mixed dimer or oligomer composition.
- the resulting mixed dimer or oligomer composition has at least a 30% decrease in the level of elemental sulfur when compared with that of a mixed dimer or oligomer composition prepared by a similar process in the absence of any active removal of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide.
- Example 8 a mixed dimer composition from Ci 4 -Ci 6 AOS acid and 1 -tetradecene is produced while purging sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the reactor.
- the product has relatively low headspace S0 2 ( ⁇ 50 ppm) and H 2 S (3,000 ppm) at the end of the reaction, and the mixed dimer product has relatively low elemental sulfur (0.25 meq/g on a sulfonic acid basis).
- Example 7 shows the preparation of a mixed dimer from Ci 4 -Ci 6 AOS acid and 1 -tetradecene wherein the dimerization is performed in a closed reactor with no purging of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide.
- the dimerized product contains a relatively high concentration of elemental sulfur (0.34 meq/g), and the reactor headspace at the conclusion of the dimerization contains higher concentrations of S0 2 (500 ppm) and H 2 S (> 80,000 ppm).
- Sulfur dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide can be purged from the dimerization reactor by any suitable means. It is convenient, for instance, to sparge an inert gas such as nitrogen above and/or below the liquid surface in the reactor, and to recover the sulfur dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide (hereinafter also called "oxidizables") in a scrubber containing aqueous base. Collecting the oxidizables in a scrubber enables quantification of these by-products by standard analytical methods, as is shown in Example 8.
- an inert gas such as nitrogen above and/or below the liquid surface in the reactor
- Any desired flow rate for the sparge gas can be used, although there may be practical limits regarding the flow rate.
- a higher sparge rate may be more effective in eliminating sulfur dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide, and it may provide a mixed dimer or oligomer having a relatively high sulfonic acid content.
- a desirable flow rate will depend on many factors, including the equipment involved, the mixing rate, the nature of the AOS acid and unsulfonated olefin or diolefin reactants, the viscosity of the mixed dimer or oligomer product, and other factors.
- Sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide could also be purged during the dimerization or oligomerization process by other methods. For instance, one could continuously or periodically introduce a solvent along with or instead of an inert gas. Vacuum could also be applied to assist in the purging of these by-product gases. The degree of success in removing sulfur dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide can be assessed using the analytical methods described herein as well as other techniques that will occur to the skilled person.
- measuring the amounts of by-products (sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, elemental sulfur) present in the mixed dimer or oligomer composition the amounts of off- gases (sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide) collected in a scrubber, and the amount of sulfonic acid content in the mixed dimer or oligomer composition help to quantify the degree of success of the purging method.
- sulfur dioxide is removed from the AOS acid prior to dimerization to produce a mixed dimer or mixed oligomer composition.
- the resulting mixed dimer or mixed oligomer composition will have a reduced level of elemental sulfur when compared with a product made by a similar method that does not include removal of sulfur dioxide from the AOS acid prior to dimerization or oligomerization.
- Removal of sulfur dioxide can be performed by any desired method.
- sulfur dioxide removal is performed by digesting, vacuum stripping, gas purging, solvent-assisted stripping, heating, or a combination thereof.
- “Digesting” may refer to a soak period during which sulfur dioxide is allowed to evolve from a warm AOS acid product, or it may refer to a period during which the AOS acid is warmed or heated to promote sulfur dioxide evolution. In some aspects, a digestion step may precede or follow other sulfur dioxide removal methods.
- the amount of vacuum applied should be sufficient to remove sulfur dioxide from the reactor while also being insufficient to remove AOS acid or sultone intermediates from the reactor.
- the degree of vacuum that can be applied will depend on the molecular weight of the AOS acid, temperature, equipment, whether or not a solvent is included, whether or not a gas purge is used, and other factors within the skilled person's discretion. In some cases, it may be convenient to use a wiped-film evaporator for vacuum stripping. Wiped- film evaporation can be performed at relatively high temperatures (e.g., 130°C or higher) with short residence times. This may allow removal of sulfur dioxide from the AOS acid without generating significant levels of hydrogen sulfide or elemental sulfur.
- Gas purging can be used alone or in combination with other sulfur dioxide removal techniques. Air or inert gases such as nitrogen or argon can be used for purging. The purge should be performed under conditions sufficient to remove most or all of the sulfur dioxide present in the AOS acid prior to the dimerization or oligomerization step. Solvent-assisted stripping can be used alone or in combination with gas purging and/or vacuum stripping. A volatile hydrocarbon solvent such as petroleum ether works well for this purpose.
- Heating may accompany any of the earlier-described techniques, provided that the amount of heat is insufficient to induce a significant degree of dimerization or oligomerization.
- the temperature will be held within the range of 40°C to 140°C, preferably 50°C to 130°C.
- the degree of success can be evaluated by measuring the amount of oxidizables (i.e., sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide) present in a scrubbing device, solvent mixture, or other source of removed by-product gases using the analytical methods described below or other suitable analytical tools.
- oxidizables i.e., sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide
- the invention includes salts made by neutralizing any of the mixed dimer or oligomer compositions mentioned above with an effective amount of a base, preferably an alkali metal hydroxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, ammonia, or an alkylammonium compound.
- a base preferably an alkali metal hydroxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, ammonia, or an alkylammonium compound.
- the amount of base used will be sufficient to neutralize some or all of the sulfonic acid groups present in the mixed dimer or oligomer composition.
- the salts are useful surfactants for oilfield and other applications.
- the salts may also be useful as surfactants for hard or soft surface cleaning, laundry detergents, personal care applications, enhanced oil recovery, oil dispersants, agricultural applications, emulsion polymers, metalworking, industrial applications, specialty foamers, and the like.
- the invention includes foams useful for oilfield and other applications.
- the foams comprise water, a gas, and a surfactant comprising the mixed dimer or oligomer compositions discussed above.
- the gas comprises steam, a non-condensable gas, or a mixture thereof.
- the non-condensable gas is air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, natural gas, or a mixture thereof.
- the foam may have a foam quality within the range of 50% to 99%, or 60% to 95%, or 70% to 90%. "Foam quality" refers to the volume percentage of gas at a given temperature and pressure in the foam compared with the total volume of liquid and gas. Higher values are generally more desirable to minimize surfactant requirements.
- a foam made up of 70% nitrogen and 30% liquid would have a "foam quality" of 70%.
- the foam may include other volatile organic compounds such as amines, alcohols, glycols, aminoalcohols, and the like, and mixtures thereof.
- the foam may include foam boosters, co-surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, or other additives.
- the foam may include solid micro- or nanoparticles, which may have particle sizes in the range of 0.01 to 10 ⁇ .
- Such micro- or nanoparticles may include, for example, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, colloidal silicas or other metal oxides, asphaltenes, or the like, or mixtures thereof.
- foams generated from salts of the mixed dimer or mixed oligomer compositions have improved high-temperature foam stability when compared with foams produced using AOS dimer acid salts.
- high temperature foam stability means a reasonable resistance to foam dissipation at temperatures greater than 150°C, or within the range of 170°C to 350°C, especially from 200°C to 300°C.
- salts from the mixed dimer or oligomer compositions generally outperformed the corresponding Ci 4 -Ci 6 AOS dimer acid salt, which may represent the state of the art for generating stable steam foams at high temperature.
- inventive foams can be utilized in a variety of oilfield or other applications for which foams having good high-temperature stability are desirable.
- Such processes might include, for example, steam flooding, cyclic steam stimulation, or steam-assisted gravity drainage (“SAGD").
- the foams can be used to improve steam conformance in a SAGD process.
- SAGD process closely spaced horizontal well pairs are drilled into oil sands deposits. Steam is injected, usually through one or more tubes or "stringers,” into the upper (“injection") well. As the steam emerges from the stringer, it rises, heats the oil sands formation, softens the bitumen, and creates a widening steam chamber above the steam injection site. Heated bitumen flows by gravity and is drained continuously from the lower (“production”) well. During start-up, there is a pressure difference between the injection and production wells, and this pressure difference helps to drive oil production.
- Steam foam refers to the product of combining steam with an aqueous mixture that contains a surfactant such that a foam is generated.
- the surfactant includes, as one component, a salt from a mixed dimer or mixed oligomer composition as described herein.
- the steam foam When steam is converted to a steam foam, the steam's mobility is decreased such that heat from the steam is maintained for a prolonged time period in the bitumen-containing regions of the formation. Converting steam to steam foam helps to fully develop production of heavy oil.
- the steam foam may be produced above ground, but it is more commonly generated within a well. In some aspects, the steam foam is largely formed within the steam chamber. In some aspects, the steam foam may contain one or more non-condensable gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
- the steam foam may be present in the inter-well region between the injection and production wells. In other aspects, the steam foam may be generated in a water layer or gas cap that resides above the steam chamber. In some aspects, the steam foam or surfactant may be injected into a gas cap, the steam chamber, or other parts of the formation.
- the invention relates to a method which comprises: (a) injecting into a subterranean reservoir formation, said formation comprising at least one injection well and at least one production well, a mixed dimer or oligomer composition or a foam made therefrom; and (b) recovering oil from the production well.
- a subterranean reservoir formation said formation comprising at least one injection well and at least one production well, a mixed dimer or oligomer composition or a foam made therefrom.
- steam-assisted gravity drainage is used.
- a horizontal SAGD well pair comprising a steam injection well and a production well is provided.
- the injection well is located above the production well.
- a secondary well is created above the well pair.
- the secondary well can be substantially horizontal, substantially vertical, or angled with respect to the well pair.
- the secondary well is horizontal and is substantially co-extensive with the SAGD well pair.
- the secondary well is preferably located near the top or just above the steam chamber of the injection well.
- a surfactant solution comprising a salt of a mixed dimer or mixed oligomer composition of the invention is introduced into the secondary well.
- the surfactant solution can be introduced "slug-wise" in one or more portions, semi- continuously, or continuously into the secondary well.
- the surfactant solution drains from the secondary well into a steam chamber of the injection well, it combines with rising steam to produce a steam foam in the injection well.
- AOS acid is prepared by falling-film sulfonation of a 65/35 (wt./wt.) mixture of 1 - tetradecene and 1 -hexadecene in accordance with standard manufacturing practices.
- the degree of sulfonation is 1 .05 moles of S0 3 per mole of olefin, which corresponds to 3.62 meq S0 3 per gram of AOS acid and 3.46 meq olefin per gram of AOS acid.
- the AOS acid (30.0 g, 0.104 mol olefin equivalent) is charged to a 100-mL round-bottom flask.
- 1 -Octene (5.91 g, 0.053 mol) is added, and the mixture is stirred at 150°C while maintaining a gentle nitrogen stream applied to the headspace of the reaction flask.
- 1 H NMR analysis (CDCI3) indicates full conversion as evidenced by a lack of detectable alkene and sultone signals.
- the mixed dimer product comprises 2.75 meq/g sulfonic acid as determined by titration with 0.1 N cyclohexylamine in methanol.
- the amount of extract (2.3 wt.% based on sulfonic acid) that is typically observed when AOS dimer is prepared in the absence of added 1 -octene, the amount of extract corresponds to about 40% of the amount of 1 -octene used in the reaction. Therefore, the amount of 1 -octene incorporated into the product as a cross-dimer with AOS acid is about 60% of the 1 - octene charge.
- Example 1 The procedure of Example 1 is used to prepare a mixed dimer composition comprising C14-C16 AOS acid and 1 -dodecene. After 5 h of reaction at 150°C, 1 H NMR analysis confirms complete dimerization/oligomerization as evidenced by the absence of alkene and sultone signals. Titration with cyclohexylamine indicates that the product comprises 2.46 meq/g of sulfonic acid.
- a sample of C14/C16 AOS acid prepared as in Example 1 (50 g, 0.173 mol olefin equivalent) is charged a 100-mL round-bottom flask.
- 1 -Dodecanol (16.4 g, 0.088 mol) is added, and the mixture is stirred at 150°C while maintaining a gentle nitrogen stream applied to the headspace of the reaction flask.
- the reaction is checked for conversion by titration of an aliquot with 0.1 N cyclohexylamine in methanol.
- the sulfonic acid content is 0.81 meq/g, which is less than the sulfonic acid content of the reaction mixture prior to any heating (0.91 meq/g).
- Example 1 The procedure of Example 1 is used to prepare a mixed dimer composition comprising a C14-C16 AOS acid and 1 -hexadecene at varying ratios as summarized in Table 1 .
- 1 H NMR analysis confirms complete dimerization/ oligomerization as evidenced by the absence of alkene and sultone signals.
- Sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide in reactor headspace is determined by means of Drager gas analysis tubes.
- a single stroke with a handpump (Accuro, Drager Safety Inc.) is used to draw reaction headspace gas into the analysis tubes.
- 0.2%/A tubes are used, with an estimated lower detection limit of about 500 ppm.
- 50/b tubes are used, with an estimated lower detection limit of about 50 ppm.
- Sulfonic acid content in the mixed dimer products is measured by potentiometric titration with 0.1 N cyclohexylamine in methanol.
- Total volatile oxidizables stripped from reaction mixtures and captured by aqueous caustic scrubbing are quantified by the following titration method: A precise volume (typically 1 .00 or 2.00 ml.) of 0.1 N iodine solution is added to -0.2 N aqueous HCI. Scrubber liquid (1 .00 mL) is added. Excess unreacted iodine is titrated with 0.01 N sodium thiosulfate using a platinum electrode to determine the potentiometric endpoint.
- the oxidizables which comprise S0 2 and H 2 S, are calculated (in meq/g, mol/g) recognizing that 1 mole of l 2 reacts with 2 moles of sodium thiosulfate, 1 mole of l 2 reacts with 1 mole of H 2 S, and 1 mole of l 2 reacts with 1 mole of S0 2 .
- the total meq/g of oxidizables is calculated based on the mass of scrubber liquid.
- the amount of oxidizables stripped is calculated based on the original mass of AOS acid charged to the reactor, expressed in meq/g. Oxidizables in sulfonic acid and neutralized reaction products are measured by a comparable iodine/thiosulfate titration method.
- Sulfur analyses are conducted by reaction of the sodium salts of reaction products, prepared by neutralization of sulfonic acid with NaOH in water, with a known amount of excess triphenylphosphine (TPP). The excess unreacted TPP is then titrated potentiometrically with iodine and the amount of elemental sulfur is calculated, based on the consumption of TPP and is reported in meq/g on a sulfonic acid basis.
- TPP triphenylphosphine
- Elemental sulfur (on a sulfonic acid product basis) 0.34 meq/g
- preparation of the mixed dimer composition without purging off- gases from the reactor headspace is accompanied by the generation of substantial amounts of H 2 S and elemental sulfur.
- the headspace reaction mixture comprises greatly reduced amounts of S0 2 and H 2 S.
- the sulfonic acid content of the product is higher, which indicates a substantial reduction in the level of reduced sulfur compound generation. Measured oxidizables in the product are lower. Further, measured elemental sulfur in the sulfonic acid product is lower by 26% compared with that of the product of Example 7.
- Example 2 A sample of the C14/C16 AOS acid prepared in Example 1 (30 g, 0.104 mol olefin equivalent) is charged to a 100-mL round-bottom flask. Oleic acid (14.3 g, 0.053 mol, Palmac ® 760, iodine value of 93.5, product of IOI Oleochemicals) is added, and the mixture is stirred at 150°C for 28 h while maintaining a gentle nitrogen stream applied to the headspace of the reaction flask. 1 H NMR analysis indicates high conversion to dimers/oligomers as evidenced by the presence of only trace levels of alkene and sultone signals.
- Oleic acid (14.3 g, 0.053 mol, Palmac ® 760, iodine value of 93.5, product of IOI Oleochemicals) is added, and the mixture is stirred at 150°C for 28 h while maintaining a gentle nitrogen stream applied to the headspace of the reaction flask.
- 1 H NMR analysis
- Foam Test Methods 1 -4 are screening methods that are performed using a 650-mL high-pressure Parr reactor having two pairs of observation windows on opposite sides of the reactor.
- the reactor is equipped with a heater, a port for pressurizing with nitrogen, mechanical stirring, and a glass liner, which has a capacity of 570 ml_.
- the volume above the top window is about 250 ml_, and the volume above the bottom window is about 450 ml_.
- a light source is aimed from the back windows through the reactor toward the front windows so that the presence of foam or liquid is easily observed from the front windows.
- a test solution or dispersion of 0.5 wt.% surfactant solids in deionized water is prepared, and 200 mL of the solution is introduced into the Parr reactor.
- the reactor is purged with nitrogen.
- the stirring speed is adjusted to 200-250 rpm, which is not expected to generate foam.
- the reactor contents are heated to a desired temperature (150°C, 200°C, or 250°C) and the system is allowed to equilibrate at this temperature for 1 h.
- the stirrer is turned off, and the mixture is allowed to settle. Stirring is then started at maximum speed (about 1750 rpm) and continues for 3 min, generating foam.
- the stirrer is turned off, and a stopwatch is started.
- the upper window is observed until the foam level drops below it and light can be clearly seen through the window.
- the time noted is a measure of foam stability.
- the test is repeated three times for each sample and results are recorded.
- a test solution or dispersion of 0.5 wt.% surfactant solids in sodium carbonate buffer is prepared.
- a sample 60 mL is introduced into the Parr reactor, which is purged with nitrogen.
- the stirring speed is adjusted to 200-250 rpm, which is not expected to generate foam.
- the liquid level can be observed in the lower window.
- the reactor contents are heated to 250°C, and the system is allowed to equilibrate at this temperature for 1 h.
- the stirring rate is increased to maximum speed (about 1750 rpm) for 1 min. Stirring is discontinued, and the stopwatch is started. Foam is observed through the lower window until the foam dissipates. The time, which is a measure of foam stability, is recorded. The test is repeated three times with 10-min. intervals of no stirring, and the average time for the foam to dissipate is recorded as foam stability.
- a test solution or dispersion of 0.5 wt.% surfactant solids in deionized water is prepared.
- a sample (60 mL) is introduced into the Parr reactor, which is purged with nitrogen.
- the reactor is pressurized to 1 13 psig with nitrogen.
- the stirring speed is adjusted to 200-250 rpm, which is not expected to generate foam.
- the liquid level can be observed in the lower window.
- the reactor contents are heated to 250°C, and the system is allowed to equilibrate at this temperature for 1 h. Foam stability is then evaluated as described in Foam Test Method 2.
- a test solution of 0.5 wt.% surfactant actives in deionized water is prepared.
- a sample (100 mL) is introduced into the Parr reactor, which is purged with nitrogen.
- the reactor is pressurized to 1 13 psig with nitrogen.
- the stirring speed is adjusted to 200-250 rpm, which is not expected to generate foam.
- the liquid level can be observed in the lower window.
- the reactor contents are heated to 250°C, and the system is allowed to equilibrate at this temperature for 1 h.
- Foam stability is evaluated as follows: The stirring rate is increased to maximum speed (about 1750 rpm) and continues for 15 min. Stirring is discontinued, and the stopwatch is started. Foam is observed through the lower window until the foam dissipates. The time, which is a measure of foam stability, is recorded. The experiments are done in duplicate.
- Table 4 provides results from Foam Test Method 1 for a number of mixed dimer acid salt surfactant compositions. Some of the samples are used as produced. The "de-oiled” samples have had the unsulfonated olefin dimer portion removed by several extractions with petroleum ether. The control is a Ci 4 -Ci 6 alpha-olefin sulfonic (AOS) dimer acid sodium salt (i.e., not a "mixed” dimer).
- AOS Ci 4 -Ci 6 alpha-olefin sulfonic
- the results show that foam stabilities are more difficult to maintain at 250°C than at 200°C, although this can be counteracted somewhat with higher actives levels (1 -2%).
- the de-oiled samples which have a higher concentration of sulfonate groups, generally exhibit longer foam stabilities.
- all of the de-oiled mixed dimer acid salt products outperform the Ci 4 -Ci 6 AOS dimer acid sodium salt.
- Table 5 provides results from Foam Test Method 2 for a number of mixed dimer acid salt surfactant compositions. Average foam stabilities are reported in the table. Again, the control is a C14-C16 AOS dimer acid sodium salt. All of the mixed dimer test samples provide foam stabilities that are as good as or better than the stabilities observed with the control.
- Table 6 provides results from Foam Test Method 3. Average foam stabilities are reported in the table.
- the control is a C14-C16 AOS dimer acid sodium salt. All of the mixed dimer and mixed oligomer test samples provide improved foam stabilities (66-95% more stable) when compared with the stabilities obtained using the control.
- Table 7 provides results from Foam Test Method 4. Average foam stabilities are reported in the table.
- the control is a C14-C16 AOS dimer acid sodium salt. Both the mixed dimer and mixed oligomer test samples provide improved foam stabilities when compared with the stabilities obtained using the control.
Abstract
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EP16748437.7A EP3331963B1 (en) | 2015-08-04 | 2016-07-28 | Mixed dimers from alpha-olefin sulfonic acids |
CA2994147A CA2994147C (en) | 2015-08-04 | 2016-07-28 | Mixed dimers from alpha-olefin sulfonic acids |
US15/750,026 US10590331B2 (en) | 2015-08-04 | 2016-07-28 | Mixed dimers from alpha-olefin sulfonic acids |
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US10377942B2 (en) | 2017-04-06 | 2019-08-13 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Hydrocarbon formation treatment micellar solutions |
US10557078B2 (en) | 2017-04-06 | 2020-02-11 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Brine resistant silica sol |
US10975289B2 (en) | 2017-04-06 | 2021-04-13 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Hydrocarbon formation treatment micellar solutions |
US11130906B2 (en) | 2017-04-06 | 2021-09-28 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Brine resistant silica sol |
US11401454B2 (en) | 2017-04-06 | 2022-08-02 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Hydrocarbon formation treatment micellar solutions |
US10563117B2 (en) | 2017-09-13 | 2020-02-18 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Crude oil recovery chemical fluids |
US10570331B2 (en) | 2017-09-13 | 2020-02-25 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Crude oil recovery chemical fluid |
US10801310B2 (en) | 2017-09-26 | 2020-10-13 | Nissan Chemcial America Corporation | Using gases and hydrocarbon recovery fluids containing nanoparticles to enhance hydrocarbon recovery |
US10870794B2 (en) | 2017-11-03 | 2020-12-22 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Using brine resistant silicon dioxide nanoparticle dispersions to improve oil recovery |
US11180692B2 (en) | 2017-11-03 | 2021-11-23 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Using brine resistant silicon dioxide nanoparticle dispersions to improve oil recovery |
US11274244B2 (en) | 2017-11-03 | 2022-03-15 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Using brine resistant silicon dioxide nanoparticle dispersions to improve oil recovery |
US10934478B2 (en) | 2018-11-02 | 2021-03-02 | Nissan Chemical America Corporation | Enhanced oil recovery using treatment fluids comprising colloidal silica with a proppant |
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EP3331963A1 (en) | 2018-06-13 |
CA2994147C (en) | 2023-07-11 |
US10590331B2 (en) | 2020-03-17 |
US20180223173A1 (en) | 2018-08-09 |
CA2994147A1 (en) | 2017-02-09 |
EP3331963B1 (en) | 2019-07-10 |
BR112018002311A2 (en) | 2018-10-02 |
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